It is a testament not only to Marco Silva’s coaching but also the club’s recruitment team that one of Fulham’s players can be considered amongst the Premier League’s ‘top three’.
In fact, there are a handful of Cottagers players who could claim to be amongst the best in the division these days.
No conversation of the Premier League’s best left-backs is complete without the barnstorming Antonee Robinson. Adama Traore, back in form after being reunited with his former Wolves partner Raul Jimenez, surely belongs amongst the three fastest footballers in the competition.
Summer signing Joachim Andersen, meanwhile, is one of the Premier League’s finest when it comes to playing the ball out of the back. The Denmark international’s trademark diagonals the catalyst for many a Fulham attack during Saturday’s 1-0 win at a previously unbeaten Nottingham Forest.
Marco Silva’s side knew what they were getting when Fulham completed a £30 million deal for Andersen in August.
The former Lyon, Sampdoria and Crystal Palace colossus spent the 2020/21 season on loan at Craven Cottage after all. And while that campaign ended in relegation – a Fulham side containing Andersen, Ademola Lookman, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and co somehow finishing in the bottom three – the former captain was such a hit first time around that it felt inevitable he would pick up where he left off.
And that he most certainly has.
Fulham star Joachim Andersen labelled amongst Premier League’s ‘top three’
“Strange decision from Crystal Palace to sell a defender like Andersen,” former Aston Villa and England forward Agbonlahor tells talkSPORT, Fulham’s gain most certainly the struggling Eagles’ loss.
“Him and [Marc] Guehi were so good together.
“His distribution is probably top three in the Premier League. How he can pass out from the back, his long-range passing, his composure, but also defensively, you know, he was outstanding against Nottingham Forest.
“[Andersen helped secure] a clean sheet and a 1-0 win for his team.”
There were concerns when Fulham lost Tosin Adarabioyo to West London neighbours Chelsea over the summer.
Andersen, however, not only feels like a replacement but an upgrade on current form. Fulham have picked up seven points from nine since his return, beating Champions League-chasing Newcastle 3-1 last time out before dealing Nottingham Forest their maiden defeat of 2024/25.
Troy Deeney included Fulham returnee Andersen in his Team of the Week too, via BBC Sport.
“[Fulham] were excellent, he was excellent,” the ex-Watford skipper said. “The Dane been a real strong addition for Fulham. He has a passing ability which is quite under-rated.
“He hit some lovely diagonal balls which got them moving forward.”
Marco Silva delighted as Fulham beat Nottingham Forest
With only one loss from six outings, Fulham are currently just outside the top four following a flying start to the new campaign.
The defender’s old employers, meanwhile, are 12 places and eight points worse off. Stuck in the relegation zone and going nowhere fast.
“Great win for us. Great battle, tight game, as we expected, and the boys did really well when we had to keep our organisation and show the character in the last minutes of the game,” Silva told reporters after that City Ground triumph, Andersen helping ensure Forest managed only one shot on target with star creator Morgan Gibbs-White suspended.
“We showed it (character) from the first minute, to be honest. We started to command the game the way we like to on the ball. We faced a team playing a direct game, one striker to fight second balls, the other running in behind, and every throw-in around our box.
A lot of challenge, a lot of battles, a lot of second balls. But the reality is that [goalkeeper Bernd Leno had to make] one save from long range.
“There was not one chance for Forest throughout the game.”
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